Hutchison doing his part for streaking Toronto

TORONTO -- Drew Hutchison knows his offence is going to put up runs.

The Blue Jays starter says a key to the team's success is starting pitching to go with the big bats.

"We've been doing a good job as starters here lately and we need to continue to do that," Hutchison said Saturday after scattering six hits over 6 1/3 innings as Toronto topped the Astros, 7-2.

With that performance, Toronto pitchers have now held the opposition to three runs or fewer in six of their past seven games. The Blue Jays (27-30) have now won four games in a row.

Hutchison, who came into the game with the highest runs of support average (when in the game) in the Majors with 8.81, was again backed by a strong offence as he was given a 4-0 lead after two innings.

"We need to continue to give them pitching to go along with their offence," said Hutchison (5-1, 4.91 ERA), who struck out five and walked one in a 91-pitch performance.

Hutchison said he's been working on keeping loose between innings, especially when his offence puts together a rally, as they did in Saturday's three-run second inning.

He said the starters are feeling confident given their recent performances.

"It's just guys going out there and doing what they're capable of doing," Hutchison said.

Toronto manager John Gibbons said his starters "are on a nice little roll," adding that Hutchison is continuing to show the knack for getting a big out when it's needed.

"He's a great competitor," Gibbons said of the 24-year-old Hutchison, who became the youngest Opening Day starter in franchise history this season. "He doesn't like coming out of games.

"We expect a lot out of him now, but he's really just starting to scratch the surface of what he can become at this level. A couple of years from now he's going to be pretty darn good."